GOD BLESS….

GOD BLESS the people of the Red River Valley. Please extend your thoughts and prayers to the families living along the Red River in Fargo, Moorhead and surrounding communities. I have not slept a wink since hearing the news last night that they are predicating a flood stage of 43, 4 feet higher then 97. I was there in 97 and along with my buddies were a huge part of saving a neighborhood along the South side of Fargo. I’m heading up there this morning and asking IDO to keep these folks in your thoughts this weekend. I hate to say it but I have a bad feeling about this, let’s hope I’m wrong and Fargo can survive this massive push of water. The cold temps are helping it a little, but making it miserable for those trying to deal with it.

Great post Lip. Tina and I have many friends in that area and it’s unbelievable the stories that we are starting to hear. Mandatory evacuation is happening in many parts. I also heard that they also are requesting no more volunteers.

Prayers sent…

Prayers sent!

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the residents.

I was up there thursday and friday assisting Moorhead PD. I will post a couple pics when I get a chance. The Moorhead county club sits along the river and most of the golf course is flooded. There were 25-30 deer that were stuck between the city and the river. They just sat out in the open all day long on friday. Then someone had to chase them with a four wheeler. I do have a couple pics of the deer.
DT

WOW is all I can say right now. What a battle. I mainly stayed out of town and concentrated my efforts on the Farm Owners I know and their neighbors. Let’s hope this storm stays to the way South, but it looks like this will latest snow will pile onto the water totals for the people along the Red and the tributaries.

The big thing I noticed wile I was up there was the people right in town are getting a lot of help and support from Volunteers, City, , Police, Fire Dept, National Guard, and etc. It is the people to the South and North parts of Fargo and Moorhead in the rural communities that really at times are left to fight this alone. These are the areas where it really reminds me what good people are up there. The kind of people that will do anything for a neighbor or stranger kind of people. This battle is far from over with as the water has receded a little, but let me be the first to say it is still Winter up there with snow still around and more coming. These levels will continue to rise and fall and stay at a very high alarming rate. The whole time eating away and eroding the dikes put in place. The quicker the water can come down the better off these people will be , but they are predicting at least another 4-7 days of these record levels. I was very impressed with the organization and planning these two major cities did. They were actually directed by the Federal Government and FEMA to evacuate the City. Both Cities stood up against the Federal Government and FEMA and said NO WAY, we are staying and fighting. The Resolve, Determination and Work Ethic of the people in this area will pull this area through. IMO there will be some areas that will lose this battle, but overall they will conquer. However there is a long fight to be had yet. GOD BLESS these people!

I’ll post a few more later, my computer is being really slow.
DT

Rob thank you for the “call out” for all of the folks up in the Red River Valley. I lived up there during the 1997 flood and sandbagged all over the area trying to save many friends and strangers homes. It was amazing to be part of something like that. I told Brad, like many other experiences, unless you live through it you really cannot comprehend the severity and amount of water they are dealing with. However,it is also a time where you meet and work next to total strangers and there is a commeraderie that brings out the best in people. My best friend lives up there so she is calling, emailing and texting hourly updates. So far, they have been able to save their home.
I will continue to pray for them and ask others to do the same. With the blizzard, it is still looking pretty scary for them…
PS Nick is elated that the schools are closed – he is home with me and happy that he got an unplanned Spring Break!

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I told Brad, like many other experiences, unless you live through it you really cannot comprehend the severity and amount of water they are dealing with.

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This is also my 2nd flood fight as I was there in 97 also. I was a little more involved in 97 as I lived up there then. But you are right, it is hard to fathom exactly what is going on up there, unless you have experienced it before. The amount of water is just unthinkable even after seeing it all weekend long, I still can’t believe it, whole sections getting swallowed up by the day. I talked to my friend Paul yesterday and although it retreated somewhat, it is far from over with and far form being a safe level. The other thing people do not understand is just because the sandbagging is done does not mean the work is done. The constant maintenance of pumps and dikes is a full time job for a couple of people per home. I will probably be back up there this week to give some people relief on manning pumps, etc. Hang in there Folks!